Dynamic Physical Therapy
ACL Tear in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Keeping Your Knee Strong: ACL Tear Recovery in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Have you recently injured your knee playing sports or through another activity? Did you hear or feel a “pop” at the time of injury? Does your knee now feel unstable or unable to bear your full weight when standing or walking? An ACL tear may be the cause. An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is a common knee injury, especially among active teens, adults, and athletes. This crucial ligament helps stabilize the knee joint, preventing excessive forward movement and twisting. When the stresses placed on this ligament become too great, it can partially or completely rupture. This causes pain, swelling, a feeling that your knee will “give out”, and difficulty bearing weight through your injured leg.
How an ACL Tear in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT Impacts Your Life
An ACL tear significantly impacts your quality of life, especially if you lead an active lifestyle or regularly participate in sports like football, soccer, basketball, skiing, gymnastics, or lacrosse.
Without this important stabilizing ligament, quick cutting movements and landing from jumps become difficult and unsafe. Your knee joint is at risk of buckling and giving out.
You’ll also likely experience:
- Pain and swelling
- Joint instability
- Decreased range of motion
- Muscle weakness
- Alterations in gait and movement patterns
This not only limits your ability to participate in athletic activities, but also everyday tasks like walking, using stairs, squatting, kneeling, or sitting. Over time, untreated ACL tears can also lead to further injury, early-onset arthritis, and long-term disability if the instability causes damage to other structures in the knee like cartilage and other ligaments.
Lindsey Welker
A huge thanks to Ariel who helped me through some muscle tightness in a few different places that was preventing me from sleeping! She put together a program that I am still using even tho I’m not going to PT anymore. Also the dry needling was so helpful in getting my muscles to relax and repair. I appreciate that you are the only client during your appointment and also that they will work with you on reschedules! Thanks again Dynamic PT!
Matt Nicolai
I came here for rehab after having ACL reconstruction surgery and had a great experience! I worked with Kevin who was always friendly, patient during the ups and downs of the rehab process, knew when to push me further, and now I’m able to start doing the things I love again. The whole staff is excellent from the front desk to the other trainers, it’s a welcoming place to be. If you’re looking for individual attention, not crowded, and a place to get healed come here!
Benefits of ACL Tear Physical Therapy Treatment
Seeking proper treatment for your ACL tear is crucial, whether you hope to return to sports or regular activity levels. Here at Dynamic Physical Therapy, our licensed physical therapists offer customized rehabilitation programs to help you effectively recover from an ACL tear whether you injured yourself in football or baseball.
Benefits of working with our skilled therapists include:
1. Pain Management & Reduced Inflammation
- Manual therapy techniques
- Electrical stimulation
- Ice, compression, elevation
- Targeted exercises
2. Improved Range of Motion & Strength
- Stretching and flexibility training
- Progressive strengthening program
- Muscle re-education
3. Enhanced Movement Control & Stability
- Proprioceptive and balance training
- Sport-specific agility drills
- Bracing and external support
4. Education & Self-Management Techniques
- Home exercise program
- Strategies for swelling, pain management
- Preparing for return to activity/sport
With an individually-tailored rehab plan focused on your unique goals, our therapists help you recover optimally after an ACL tear so you heal properly and reduce recurrence risks.
Common Treatment Methods for ACL Tears in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options available for ACL tears depending on the severity. Here at Dynamic Physical Therapy, we focus on non-operative treatment methods to help you regain function and return to activity. Common techniques we utilize include:
1. Targeted Therapeutic Exercises
- Range of motion stretches
- Progressive strengthening
- Neuromuscular retraining
- Simulated sports maneuvers
2. Manual Therapy
- Massage
- Joint mobilizations
- Myofascial release
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue work
3. Pain Management Modalities
- Ice/heat therapies
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Kinesio taping
4. External Support
- Hinged knee braces
- Crutches or assistive devices
- Temporary activity modification
Our skilled therapists design a customized treatment plan utilizing the most effective techniques and modalities for your unique injury and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still walk with a torn ACL?
Walking is often still possible with an ACL tear, though it may be painful at first. Using crutches can remove some weight and stress from the injured knee until the initial pain and swelling resolve. A hinged knee brace also helps stabilize the joint. As pain and inflammation decreases through rest and therapy, range of motion and strength improves, restoring normal gait and mobility.
Can a torn ACL heal itself without surgery?
In some cases, an ACL tear may heal through nonsurgical rehabilitation only. Success depends on the severity of the original tear, with partial tears more likely to heal than complete ruptures. Committing to the proper rehab program to restore range of motion, strength, and neuromuscular control is key to optimal recovery. Our experienced therapists help determine if nonsurgical treatment is appropriate based on your injury status.
Can a fully torn ACL heal without surgery?
While very uncommon, there are cases where a fully torn ACL may heal without surgery through dedicated rehab and external bracing.
The ligament tissue may reattach on its own if given the proper environment to heal. Much time and commitment to rehab is vital, along with avoiding reinjury through limiting riskier physical activities temporarily. Our therapists guide you through the process if nonsurgical treatment is appropriate for your complete ACL tear.
What happens if I don’t treat an ACL tear?
If left untreated, an ACL tear can cause chronic pain, swelling, feelings of instability in your knee joint and limit mobility. You have an increased risk of developing early-onset knee arthritis without the ACL to stabilize and evenly distribute forces through the joint. Ligament tears often damage surrounding structures like meniscus cartilage over time as well, leading to more involved, invasive procedures down the road. Getting proper treatment sooner than later is crucial for your long-term wellness.
Meet Your ACL Rehab Team
At Dynamic Physical Therapy, we provide comprehensive rehabilitation for ACL injuries, from conservative management to post-surgical recovery. Our evidence-based approach focuses on restoring strength, stability, and function while preventing future injuries.
Matthew Nelson PT, DPT, TPS, AFDNS, AIB Cert – VR
Matt brings specialized expertise in sports rehabilitation to ACL recovery, implementing advanced techniques to restore knee function and stability. His experience with athletes enables him to develop sport-specific rehabilitation protocols that address the unique demands placed on the ACL during athletic activities. Matt’s comprehensive approach includes targeted strengthening, neuromuscular retraining, and graduated return-to-sport testing to ensure safe recovery.
Jessica Bauerkemper PT, DPT, AIB CERT – VR
Jessica’s background in orthopedic care and post-operative rehabilitation makes her particularly skilled in guiding patients through ACL recovery. She combines her Pilates expertise with evidence-based ACL protocols to rebuild core stability and proper movement patterns crucial for knee health. Jessica excels at helping patients navigate the emotional and physical challenges of ACL rehabilitation with compassionate, progressive care.
Anika Jansen, PT, DPT
Anika specializes in addressing the proprioceptive and balance deficits that commonly accompany ACL injuries. Her comprehensive approach integrates balance training and neuromuscular reeducation to restore confidence and stability during movement. Anika’s background working with active individuals helps her develop functional rehabilitation programs that prepare patients for the demands of outdoor activities following ACL reconstruction.
Ciena Lavallee PT, DPT, Cert. MDT
Ciena’s McKenzie Method training enhances her ability to address movement dysfunctions throughout the kinetic chain following ACL injury. Her systematic approach ensures that biomechanical issues that may have contributed to the initial injury are identified and corrected. Ciena’s experience as a triathlete informs her approach to building the progressive endurance and strength needed throughout ACL rehabilitation.
Start Your ACL Tear Recovery Today
If you’ve suffered an ACL tear and are looking to restore stability, strength, and function in your knee, we can help. Avoid compensating movements and further injuries by seeking proper treatment right away. To get started on your path to recovery, give us a call today or request an appointment online now. Our caring staff is ready to answer your questions and discuss treatment options to help you bounce back from an ACL tear quickly and safely.